Truck Accidents are Not the Same as Car Accidents

Any type of motor vehicle accident has the potential to create devastating results including property damage, personal injury or death. But, truck accidents have the propensity to do much more damage than your average car accident; therefore, they should not be treated as an ordinary car accident.

The laws truck drivers must abide by vary from cars as well as insurance coverages. There are distinct differences between an accident involving a truck and one involving two-passenger vehicles.

Commercial Truck Drivers Have Different Laws

Truck Accidents are Not the Same as Car Accidents

There are various state and federal laws that impose rules and restrictions on commercial truck operators. If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck or other commercial truck, these laws must be assessed and it must be determined if the driver violated those laws.

Commercial are held to certain restrictions for the following:

A limited number of driving hours in a period of time.

The use of a cell phone or other device.

How the truck is maintained.

What the truck is carrying (i.e. hazardous materials, etc.)

Potential Vicarious Liability Problems

Unlike your average automobile accident, truck accidents have a variety of liabilities to consider. Some liabilities can include determining whether the driver was an employee or contractor of the trucking company, if the driver was acting within the duties of his or her job during the time of the accident, and whether or not the driver was detouring from his or her required path.

There Are More Parties Involved

Accidents with commercial trucks or vehicles typically involve lawyers and other parties. Not only are you suing the driver that caused the accident, but you could be suing their employer, the company that manufactured parts for that vehicle or even the company responsible for maintaining the vehicle.